Tao's Truth

Frankie's Birthday Week

2011-02-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

What fun we had with Aunt Keni and Cousin Frankie. She is now officially 1 year old!

Cousin Frankie

2011-01-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

Cousin Frankie came to play this weekend. She is fun! BT gives pumpkin hugs and kisses. He even shares his trucks. They invented a chasing game, where BT runs away and lightening legs crawler follows along best she can. They both are little vaccuum cleanings eating food and crumbs off the floor.

On Saturday, we went to the zoo with Aseph and saw the elephants and orangatangs. The best part was climbing stairs and pushing buttons.

Mr. BT visited the doctor today. He is 33lbs. 9 oz, he is 35 inches tall. Not a baby anymore, but a little man.

Uncle Ronnie

2011-01-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

If I have to hear about "uncle Ronnie" I am going to vomit. BT must say "Uncle Ronnie" at least 40 times a day. You might think he is a super hero for all the talk time he gets. BT's absolute favorite topic.

UR got a Wii for BT for Christmas. His mom and dad really enjoy it, thanks so much Uncle! He gives the best gifts. And Ms. Yuki came too and fed us awesome egg/shrimp/leek dumplings.

This holiday was filled with puddle stomping, LA Zoo, and Children's museum. Each day was different and fun.

BT loves going to childwatch at the Y. Great for me! I attended pilates w/ball and thought to myself, "That was not a very good workout..." Today I can hardly walk because of sore muscles. As my dad says, "Aging sucks!"

Rain, rain, go away!

2010-12-22T22:13:00.000-08:00

Water stomping!

We had a water stomping family good time. We got our not best shoes and went out in the rain to prevent cabin fever. It was great! We splashed, splished, jumped, pounded our hands, skipped, ran and sang in the rain.

Los Angeles got more rain this week than in the last ten years. That is a lot of rain. You may have seen us on the news. Houses washed away, bridges collapsed, and something like 1500 car accidents in 18 hours. Yes, we don't do well with rain. We rarely get it.

BT and I had such fun bringing holiday treats to the neighbors. Great fun! Only 3 day to Christmas. This year we have ornaments we put on the tree one each day. Each is relating to a name of Jesus. Immanuel-God with us, and today was The Door. We also did a chocolate advent from Trader Joe's that is really fun too. Christmas is so fun with kids! Everything is delightful. He pokes the ornaments, and angels, and presents. His eyes shine with wonder as he repeats pretty much everything you say.

Yeah, I'm a Survivor!

2010-12-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

Cold (super light) is all but gone, except for the hanging on runny nose which may last for years, I've heard.

I am so delighted in my little man. He is so charming. Yes, I know I am his mother but still... he says monkey, hoo-hoo while scratching his armpits.

I am trying to get him to say thank you politely, so I say "thank you, thank you, thank you, Mommy." Yesterday, he said so sweetly, "Thank you, Mommy". He hasn't said it since, but hope springs eternal in my heart.

His little hair cut is adorable. His eyes look so big and innocent and when he is teasing nothing twinkles brighter than his brown/gray eyes!

Where there is the smallest bit of water his feet will soon follow. He is recently enthralled by leaves. No matter what they look like, if they are crunchy, all the better. Today he frantically zipped about trying to collect all of them before the wind swept them away! He got three, but a lovely three they were.

He insists that I wear the too small fireman hat, and pretend to spray and put out all the raging fires around the place. The spittle that comes out your mouth in the process of making the sputtering sound the better.

He got some wibble wobbles and giggles and squeeles with glee when we spin them.

Last night he "helped" me cut out sugar cookies. He loved putting his finger in the dough. Made me think it is time for play dough.

A Cold by any other name is still a COLD.

2010-12-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

Yep, BT has an official COLD. Some symptoms: A nose you cannot hope to catch, No patience for things that do not go his way, Whiney and not a chance of understanding what he is trying to say with a stuffed nose, If he sees the thermometer he has an allergic reaction by throwing a fit and shouting, "No, no, no!".

But he is more cuddly, and wants holding and rocking. He also slowed down enough to enjoy coloring and writing and then saying "x". He loves letters!

Happy Birthday, 30 yrs old, Alex

2010-12-06T22:12:00.000-08:00

Alexandria, wow, didn't 30 years just zip past. It is so hard to believe that another 30 years and we will be in our 60s. That changes my perspective on 60.

Tavis surprised her. I met lots of fun people. One girl from Grace I had met not long ago, and happens to me my next door neighbor, literally. So glad to meet you, Jane. This is so unique in a church as large as grace to meet people to actually live near you.

It was delightful to be with kids of all ages and really nice friendly believers. I met a woman who will be praying for us to adopt some kids, Tavis' aunt Joy. Her name perfectly suited her! A newly wed couple who knew each other since pre-school and re-met while working at Starbucks, the Pastor and wife of Alex's church, and we even saw our friends from Bible Study.

Mr. 18 months is big and strong and likes to do a one arm stop the train move. He tried it on a tiny 2 year old and when adults from every couner of the room came running to check on the crying girl, he started crying in terror. I hope this is a lesson that sticks, as my little reminders and corrections have not worked so far.

Today when I was going thru my closet he saw a pack of little trucks. He really wanted them. When I said ,"No." he threw an official fit. I really wanted to give them to him, but I counseled myself to do what was best for him for the long-run.

BT was trying to sing the Alphabet song with the Alpha bug. It was really really precious! Nanna Deanna worked really hard to teach him to hug her tight, and his hugs are so dear. He hugs great! Mommy moments are worth every minute.

18 months, how can it be?

2010-11-29T21:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, It is 18 months to the day since little BT entered our lives. We are blessed more than we can count. No word is safe from his vocabulary! He repeats all that he hears.

He just discovered that pens, pencils and crayon make marks, so this is a whole new game. I am purposefully holding back on markers. He is also checking out the paintbrushes I bought at a garage sale as well as sidewalk chalk. He loves the way the chalk makes a clunking sound when it hits other pieces of chalk.

Uncle Ronnie came by to see BT and brought a girl along. BT loved the attention and the adorable backpack wheely case with the monkey on the front. Too cool! We went to the hometown chinese restaurant and "Aunt Helen" the head waitress took BT to see the euye...(fish) in the giagantic fish tank.

Thankful for my family, sanctifying hubby, delightful son, and my sisters. We had such a fun time at Cathy and Keni's this year. We love cousin Frankie and Uncle Edgar. That is such a fun name to say, right BT? Uncle Edgar taught us a great new game that was so funny and silly. We also played Skipbo to think of Grandma Wanda. We love and miss her and called her to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving.

Christian Family, bargains

2010-11-12T22:37:00.000-08:00

My dear sisters broke down on the way to Michigan, and what shall we say but our friends the Taylors live but an hour away. In all this drama it has been quite lovely to know the Taylors are willing to help if the sisters need help. God is good all the time.

Today we had such fun yard sale shopping. I found great little tonka trucks for BT. However, he is leeking a selfish heart. He quite insisted that he not share with Frankie. We had to keep insisting that he do. We shall see about tomorrow. More bargains to be had on the morrow.

The Sisters are Off

2010-11-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

LOL, that could be taken in two ways... I think I may mean them both. Carol and Cindy are off for Michigan via the Grand Canyon. Cindy has never been before. Carol packed up each inch of her vehicle, and no opening the back door, drivers side. I think Cindy may have to sit on her left hip with no moving her feet which may be wedged between bags of things. I am impressed, cause if I tried to move I would most likely need a full sized semi truck with the additional wedging also

What fun we have had with the sisterhood. It is fun chatting and laughing. I got to go shopping by myself, got my hair done, and then we got our pictures done at pennies. What a hoot! Some great photos indeed.

We ate out at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant. Jonathan did not enjoy the food. His Chinese stomach rebelled against the fried beans and spicy chicken. I however was grateful for the fun food.

Tomorrow we go to hunt for bargains at yard sales.

Phoenix with

2010-11-10T21:54:00.000-08:00

Don't cry over spilled

2010-11-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

Don't cry over spilled rice, yeah, I know it is usually milk. But in my case it was bulk rice. You do know that if one grain makes the leap he convinces lots of other grains to follow. Soon a large herd of rice will pile and spread across your floor. You will keep finding rice for days. I am thankful that my little man was napping, otherwise, that would have been totally up his alley to make up a fun game of rice rummaging.

More toddler news....

Today BT was downstairs and periodically he would call out to me, "Eh?". I answer, "Yes, baby." Then it was quiet, really, really quiet. I zipped downstairs to find my climbing monkey standing on a chair next to the table tasting peanuts, yogurt covered raisins and raisins then spitting them out when the favor was gone. Also he had been putting Mini moo creamers into his mouth and trying to suck out the milk. He had a nice orderly system and grouping of the already been sucked creamers...

Today was also the day I gave him a hair cut. Not too bad considering his mama did it.=0) If you look closely you will find a couple of crooked places where either he moved or his barber is shabby.

Halloween with the Rios

2010-11-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year! We delighted in the cool weather, the gorgeous leaves, fun with friends and costumes.

Friday was another doc visit and shots and a blood test for Lead. BT did not cry for the first one, the second one he checked to see if he should be crying, and the last one, which the nurse said was the most painful he took a shakey breathe, waited a long time, then sobbed with his whole heart!

Friday nite was a hoot at the YMCA seeing lots of little people dressed up. BT went dressed as an elephant. Sometimes he liked it, and at other times he did not... The Y had an old fashioned shadow puppet show. Kind of slow for our kiddies of this day and age.

Saturday we visited the LA Zoo. What a blast! It is so delightful to see BT point to animals and say the correct names of them.

Sunday was a Rios visit day. We had fun watching Mr. J and BT learning how to interact. We can see certain areas where BT needs shepherding. Things like obeying, and sharing, and NOT pushing, pulling, or otherwise terrorizing smaller monkeys. He loves, adores, is fasinated by cars, trucks, basically anything with wheels. Mr. J had a big car that really moves, but if you can believe it... he was scared of the thing. But fighting over the balloons was a favorite activity.

As soon as Mr. J is a bit bigger, Steve and I think he will be telling BT how things work, since he is a small but powerful personality, I am impressed that he is climbing already. BT tends to sit back and watch versus being a go-getter. Make no mistake, he has a true sin nature...which he demonstrated by knocking Mr. J down, and screaming when he did not get his way. Also he randomly bit a hole in the tablecloth???? I know, I have no idea what that was about! Hungry?A big congradulations on a great little Rios man, we can't wait until more of the Rios tribe gets here!

Monday went grocery shopping and then we went to Vet park. A friendly grandma swung BT for a while which he loved, then another gma corrected him on pushing her 2 and 1/2 yr old granddaughter off the steering wheel. Then Mexican grandma shared a ball and blue truck with him. So I guess today was grandma day.

Guam friends visit LA

2010-10-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ah, our dear Guam friends who will shortly be our dear Greek, Guam friends. The Traughts stopped on their way to Guam. What a dear family. The kids are lovely! This is my first time to meet the littlest man Jordan.

Nathan is 11 and I was his aunty in Guam. We used to put treats in the microwave for him to open the door and discover. Oh what fun days. And bro #2, he will always represent a miracle to me. I watched him come into the world. I think that was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw. I was supposed to helping Mommy with backrubs and encouragement, but I just sat there sobbing as I saw Stephens head and body pop out! I will be eternally grateful for Mommy sharing such a private and special moment.

Princess Leslie is cute as a button and a bubble of joy. All these little ones inspire me to continue to shepherd my little man's heart so he will be a blessing to those he meets.

Oh, and Kathy, the mother in law offered to come along to help pack up the place in Guam for the big move to Crete. This lady was a great inspiration to me and I only met her one time at the wedding. She taught me about something to look for in a hubby. She taught me about collecting collectables, ie...dust collectors, and she looks like the all American picture of a gorgeous grandma. She even brought me chocolate candy made by her sister-in-law and homemake sugar cookies. What a lovely woman. She is someone I would love to live near and learn from. While I was putting Jon to bed she even cleaned my kitchen, Wow! Can I get one of these?

Harvest Celebration

2010-10-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Julie, for hosting a fun play group for the little people. I had a brainless moment and totally forgot BTs elephant costume. JJ graciously let BT wear a bumblebee outfit. He along with most others were tired and cranky and did not wish to wear such things.

Claire's gma made an amazing zebra costume. It was so adorable! It was a little top heavy with couch fringe as the mane. But so precious. My fellow moms are so talented with sewing I am amazed!

Jose was a pixie pink fairy. Noel was a duck that looked a lot like a chicken, but she insisted was a duck.

Wide shoes

2010-10-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

BT inherited my wide feet. Thankfully Nora was able to direct me to Payless shoes which carries wide shoes. We got two super cool pairs for the boy.

My sister, a die-hard garage sale queen, has been buying clothes for BT. So we have the next three sizes for under $75! What a blessing! Especially since I do not really like shopping.

Mrs. Sobaje suggested a video from Leap Frog, The Letter Factory. BT and his cousins after watching it one time have been making alphabet sounds. BT makes the "X" sound and finds the letter everywhere as there are eXit signs almost everywhere we go. Jack, jack told mom the letter M says "MMMMMMM!" The drawback to the film is the catchy songs stick in your head and randomly you will break into song as a sound or sight will trigger the "on" button for the song or sound. Since I left the three film set in Michigan I will need to get another from Target. It is a little over $20.

Home again.

2010-10-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

Home again, home again, jiggity jig! Jon is adjusting to playing alone again after two solid weeks of playing, fighting, wrestling with cousins only slightly older than him.

Today Frankie will be coming from Phoenix for a couple of days. We are so excited to see her after not seeing her for several months. We will go to the zoo, swim class, sign class, and the park if it clears up!

Tried OMG Chicken from "Lost Recipes". Super flavor, but lots of work! Brought it to the Joki family to celebrate the birth of their new little son!

Packing, repacking, re repacking

2010-10-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, Thursday we are back to LA. I hope the flight is as good going as coming.

Check out the family Tao band. We sound umm, well, how do you describe how we sound?

Steve in Hong Kong

2010-10-01T20:58:00.001-07:00

Steve just emailed me that he has 17 students in his age group.

Michigan Adventures

2010-10-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

What fun we are having!

We have been apple picking. The cousins and BT had a blast scampering about in the grass while we picked 9 bushels off apples. My mom makes the best applesauce and apple pie and apple slices and apple dumplings and you get the idea.

Jonathan saw real cows and horses and chickens and cats and dogs galore.

He is so excited to see tons of trucks and diggers and bulldozers and excavators and tipper trucks and semitrucks and delivery trucks and mailtrucks and the moon. He just loves to tells us he sees the moon. He sees the moon in books and over and over when he looks out the window...

Tonight we had music time with papa. He was so delighted to play a yukalale, a guitar, and a mandolin. His eyes lit up and his face just smiled and smiled. He laughed to say the names of the instruments and if you heard him you wouldn't have known what he said. But to him it was just magic. In fact when I tried to take it from him for night time rituals we had a bit of a protest on our hands. Loved that, DAD! If I learn to play just three chords I can play tons of songs like the ABCs and the Wheels on the bus and 100s of others. I have G and C down pretty good.

Tomorrow is Mom and Dads 50th anniversary party. As always my sister Cindy knows how to throw a party!

Tonight I hear a thunder storm! I love thunder storms, the energy is just electric! (pun intended).

The Church Nursery Crier

2010-09-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Ah, back to my pre-mommy days when in my heart while working in the nursery I said to myself, "At least my kid will not be a crier when I check him into nursery..." Ah the foolish things we say to ourselves. Yes, indeed, my son is the crier. Each Sunday he lets us know that he is still not thankful to be going into nursery. I am thankful for the joyful FaithBuilder group who lovingly care for him each week.

I am reading The Faithful Parent by Martha Peace and Stuart Scott. A quote I can feel the pain of right now... "Our children are often one of the main means that God uses to show us our sin and mold us more and more into his likeness." pg 6&7

"We know [when we are being faithful] it when we are seeking to live habitually according to God's Word." pg6

Another great aspect of this book is that it continually repeats the previous points in the chapter then gives out the next one. For a slow learning mommy brain like mine, who can scarcely remember her name, this is a great aspect for reminding me what I was just supposed to have noticed while I was reading. It also summarizes the main points in a "concluding" paragraph. It also uses Bold Titles for paragraphs which I also find fabulous, as you never know when you need to put the book down and save your little climbers life and limb.

This week I got a new pair of shoes called the Shapers by Sketchers. They are like walking in soft sand, and from the two walks I have taken I am feeling the burn. I also climbed the mountain at Culver City Park...a little stretch for the title mountain but needless to say I could feel the burn!

I also had to get my third tube for my bob stroller thanks to an amazing creation with tons of names but I am going with goathead thorn or devil pricker. The amazing little spine punctures a tire with almost no effort and then happily clicks each time the wheel makes a revolution to let you know you are in serious trouble. The little hole leaks air quickly and efficiently.

Deanna is coming soon and we are absolutely delighted to have her finally visit us. We have been waiting for almost 2 years for her arrival. I can't wait!

Trusting God

2010-09-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, yesterday was a huge whirlwind, but needless to say, I saw God work in ways I in weak faith did not expect. My nephews are back with my parents, and hopefully we will continue to be grateful for God's sovereignty in all things.

BT is 15 months old. He is really expanding his vocab at a breakneck speed. He is jogging around touching everything. He is climbing on anything he can pull his chubby little legs onto, and shepherding his heart is in full swing. He will even obey, but with an evil attitude that his father taught him. --just kidding. No instruction is needed for his little sinful nature. He flashes his eyes and chucks the item he is holding to let me know that he is not pleased to have to obey.

He is still obsessed with trucks and especially wheels. His dad just bought him a Tonka truck with flashing lights and a towing rope that cranks up and down. Each day he drags it to where ever I am to explain some aspect of the truck to me. Then he brings the legos, then the alphabet train, then...so pretty soon I have a large pile of toys that I can play with at my fingertips.

I am also really proud, in a good way, of the craft I made. I have wanted to make felt food to encourage imaginative play and to give away as gifts. I made a felt fish that changes to a sushi. So totally cool. Ok, I will admit it, the sewing is a little shoddy, but it was really enjoyable. It took me way longer to finish that the 1.5 hr. suggested time. I still have to get some eyes for the thing.

I also picked up pics of baby and BT. They are so precious. Watching this little tiger grow is such a blessing! We can't wait for the rest of the passel.

Frankie Arrives

2010-08-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Frankie arrived last night to spend the week with us! What fun.

She knows how to play the kissing game. What an angel.

She also went to sign class and then stayed for activity class at the Y.

The Big Leap

2010-08-17T14:01:00.001-07:00

Today in swimming class when it was time to jump into the water, BT actually took a big leap! He can almost float on his back by himself, and he loves to splash others and kick, kick, kick. He blows bubbles, can glide underwater to the wall from three feet away. This is such fun! What a delight. We so love watching him learn and grow.

Yesterday he picked up a Z and did the sign for Zebra. I was surprised he randomly remembered it. He is saying more and more words, yes in both English and Chinese. I know I've got to find a chinese speaking person to help me with his Chinese. He is just not getting enough at home.

Big Truck, Big Truck.

2010-08-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

Jonathan's recent favorite is DK's Big Truck book. He loved it so much that wherever he goes, he will take that book along. It is so funny to watch him dragging a book that is more than half size of his body.

So one day, we went to library. He was doing his routine book check, then he found another big truck book. He was so delightful with his new finding.

Swimming at Fraziers

2010-08-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

We went swimming at Frazier's pool. What fun we have with friends from Grace.

This weekend we hiked to the Griffith Observatory. Jonathan climbed the fense.

Immunize at One

2010-06-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Our little trouper bravely faced four shots. He cried little aligator tears and then all was well. He had a great nap, fun at the park and hopefully a good tomorrow.

Daddy/son bonding moments at Best Buy tonight!

nothing is safe from the monster

2010-06-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, he has grown so tall, that nothing is safe from our stretching-put it in your mouth-grab it off the table or desk monster. Today he grabbed daddy's bag of Chinese Lee-chee fruit. He thought they were pokey little balls to throw around.

Nai nai and Ye ye say good-bye for this trip

2010-06-18T13:03:00.001-07:00

Birthday Boy

2010-06-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Are we not blessed and overwhelmed to have a one year old? Jonathan's birthday was a lot of fun. I am grateful to our friends and family for all their love and support through this amazingly fast year.

time flies

2010-06-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

when having fun or not...

I am now officially 38.

Wow, what new things every day

2010-05-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

BT is growing leaps and bounds. He now thinks he is talking. After he gibbers awhile, he looks at you and says, "eh?" and you are supposed to say something affirming. He blinks his eyes at you and you are supposed to blink back. He unpacks all his books, as though looking for something. He stands up by himself. He sings little songs. He imitates the sounds of words you say. He is using some sign language. He says all done, flower, more,

These are some of Baby's Favorite daily tasks...

2010-04-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

Carries Classic Winnie the Pooh around and periodically wrestles, hugs, kisses, and smushes the Pooh. Oh, and the Jungle Lion gets in on that action of hugs, wrestles, droole, and squeals.

Tears apart and chews on the foam alphabet mat, scatters toys everywhere, discovers and eats old snacks no one know from what day they originated.

Climbing the stairs, climbing down the stairs, climbing up the stairs, climbing down the stairs, climbing up the stairs, crying for staff to carry him down the stairs, climbing up the stairs.

Scatters cherrios all around the floor, he later follows up this business plan by checking for dividends and eating the stock.

Playing with the water cooler. He opens it--closes it, opens it-- closes it, opens--closes...you get the idea. Splashes in the water in the tray, removes the cup guard, flicks the light off and on, opens it and closes it, opens it and closes it...did I mention he likes to open and close it?

Opening the kitchen cupboards then pulls out cups, bowls--he can actually spin them, tupperware and lids.Smearing hands on sliding glass door, Verifying that he may still NOT (No, no, no) play with the blinds (he says, "nine, nine, nine"-a little German lesson).

These are his first plants, seedling of carrots we got at earth day at story time at the library.

Jonathan Speaks Russian

2010-04-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Baby Tao, Always on the Move

2010-04-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

Dada gave BT his own computer. He has already changed several settings and fonts to his preference. BT is now the owner of his own Binkie book, teething torn cover and all. He bought the library a new one due to his overusage of the book.

BT is trying every day to open the drawers, we are still safe for another week. But now he can see the top and reach and grab pretty much everything off the top of the desk and table.

This is baby Tao helping mommy. He open and removes the cups. Open and cleans the dirty silverware in the dishwasher. Removes the bowls and spins them, making the lids fly. He, of course, hits the tupperware box. And loves wiping his hands on my pants.

Easter Trip to Phoenix

2010-04-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am a day late and dollar short on the easter trip to Phoenix. Steve was really generous in driving us there. We had a good time with family.

Saturday morning we zipped off to yard sale with uncle Phil somewhere in North of Tempe. Cathy got a super deal several weeks back buying three pictures for $3 each. I stole one picture that is now hanging in my living room. I think that guy got in big trouble from his wife when she got back from the bathroom. One of the pictures was exceptionally cool, ours is pretty cool and the third was acceptably cool, but for $3 a piece it is worth the frames alone.

Saturday afternoon I went to a Diamond Backs vs cubs

We went to church and walked thru the "Easter Walk" which is an enactment of the passion week with people from the church dressed in period clothes. I really enjoyed what they had done, and loved that you could participate in the activity. Edgar met us there. BT really loved the palm branch they handed you in the first exhibit. This is such a new experience being a parent wanting your child to experience all they are able. He also loved the last exibit where we were handed music makers and were encouraged to shout and dance around shouting, "He is risen!" BT loves making noices with the shakers.

Frankie and BT went for an Easter Egg hunt after church in the front yard. He did not really get the concept. He thought the eggs were shakers since they all had little coins in them to make noice. Frankie can get right into her basket this year.

Uncle Ronnie is moving to San Diego

2010-04-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

So he is here this weekend. We took our annual short trip to the poppy reserve and dessert. Wow, everything is so gorgeous. The poppies are exceptional this year because of all the rain we got. The desert is blooming. The color is so bright it almost hurts your eyes, or that could be all the pollen in the air, hard to say. One enterprising woman was out in the middle of nowhere to sell ice cream cones. No competition for sure.

Here is the LION, each morning BT wrestles with the lion and talks and coos to the lion in motherese. I think he believes the LION is alive, and something like a dog. He also has a classic Winnie the Pooh, and Lamb that he also includes in the fun. Ye-ye and Nei nei, thanks for the great toy! We got to play with bubbles, BT loves bubbles. They are really delightful. He now loves to play peek a boo and hide and seek. He also loves to play with the blinds, and is working toward understanding the meaning of no. He speaks German, I guess. "Nine, nine, nine", he says. That is because everyday he plays with the blinds and I say, "No, no, no."

This week on Monday I hear him crying his serious distressed cry, I open the shower to see him crying because I am in the shower where he can't get me. I leave the shower open a crack, and there are his little fingers wedging the door open. A few seconds later his arm and then his head are hanging over the edge of the tub. He happily pounds on the side of the tub, getting his head and arm soaked. Sharing a shower has never been as entertaining, sorry Steve.

Tuesday he found the toilet paper. When I looked in on him, from the shower again --way too quiet, he was in a huge pile of toilet paper. He now knows how to flush the potty, but so far doesn't know how to open the lid of the toilet. I was also surprised to see that he can easily open the fridge and lick the bottles in the door. Each and every day he opens the cupboards in the kitchen. First, he opens the tupperware box, then he moves to under the sink to take out the plastic cups, all 12 of them, they must all be rolling on the floor, and then he takes out the plastic bowls in the third cupboard. He has discovered a game that can make the purple bowl spin round and round. Such a delight to watch, since that will last about 10 minutes. I need to work on having him clean them up. It is good exercise for me.

Jonathan started walking

2010-04-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was the day. After coming back from the play on the yard party at Sobaje, he determined he is going to walk. So he holds his arms to his chest, and started walking. So this whole weekend, he was walking all around the first floor. First, three steps, then 10 steps. Now, he felt so confident that he would just get up and go.

Go, Jonathan, go....

The teething monster

2010-03-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

Baby Tao is teething. Poor little tiger. This has got to be excruciating. He has three or four coming all at one time on top. He will look like a different little man once they are in.

I am looking for a stud. I have to find it to hang up a shelf in the closet and I drilled everywhere looking for one. Is it possible not to have a 2x4 in a closet? That seems unlikely, but it is a rental...I tried the banging method, then the drilling method, I am going to have to resort to borrowing a stud finder.

Hubster is walking like an old man since he hurt his back. How? Sneezing! Yep, some powerful sneezing, those. Made teething monster cry they were so loud.

A New Car

2010-03-22T22:35:00.001-07:00

Yes, the Tao's have a new car. I will post pics soon. We got it on Sunday afternoon from the Moore family. Thanks Moores.

Baby Tao had his first fever last night. Yes, I learned much about what parents with sick children must suffer. Thankfully Tylenol saved the night. Looks like four tiny teeth are on the way this week.

What a fun baby I have. He started doing yoga on his own. He loves the lion his Ye-ye bought for him, he hugs and kisses it each day.

Master Story Teller

2010-03-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

What is the secret to jokes and storytelling? Indeed there are many elements to successful tales, but one of the most important is timing. My dad has got to be a master. Even things that are not particularly funny are gut-splitting funny when my dad says them. In fact, he finds funny things and works out the perfect senario for the joke. Let me give you one example, while taking my mom out for Japanese for her birthday, my dad asked my good looking hubby if Chinese people use throw away chopsticks in China.

He replied, "Certainly, and they have cleverly learned how to repackage them". Ok, I have to admit that in super-sensitive to hygene America, the thought of second hand chopsticks is pretty gross to me. Any one interested in this business model? I mean I have reusable wooden ones and plastic ones that go in the dishwasher, but still, that is weird to me to have the cheap one reused.

Enough on my chopstick opinions...I was thankful for a washing machine at my nephews and decided that a grand finale washing before heading back to LA was in good order before I am back to the laundry mat living. I asked around if anyone had anything to wash. Everyone contributed a shirt or socks or unmentionable items for a last washing. I was loading the dark colored cloths and grabbed my dads sweatshirt. Guess what fell out of the sleeve? Yep, placed there especially for my entertainment.

--chop, chop! and good night! Now how shall I repackage them for my dad, it will definitely have to include ducktape. Dad and ducktape go way back. Last year for Christmas I bought him a roll 12 inches across. He brought it right over to the neighbors and told them to eat their hearts out he got the king of the tape!

Happy Birthday, Mom

2010-03-14T22:53:00.002-07:00

Beautiful Blue Angels and Baby

2010-03-14T22:53:00.001-07:00

Vacuuming

2010-03-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

BT today saw a line of cherios on the carpet. He suddenly became a vacuum and with head down, lips open, bum up he headed over to suck them up. He was so excited to have found them.

My dad showed him a recorder and BT grabbed it from him and figured out how to make a whistle sound. Next my dad tried to interest him in a harmonica. That was just too much for today, maybe tomorrow BT will pick up a tune and play that. =0)

Today the neighbor cat was interested enough in a bubble floating across the yard from BT's bubble time that it inadvertently allowed BT close enough to touch him. I think BT was so surprised that the cat was real, that he let the cat go before the cat damaged him. The owner wanted to see what would happen and I was thinking "your cat scratches my kid, I kick it to Truk for dinner."

BT was upset when his cousin was crying. He is so interesting to watch process info about that tiny little person. He tried to kiss it better, when that did not work, he tried to get me to fix the crying creature. He loves her tiny hands and he loves watching her face. He tries to talk to her when she cries, she is obviously not getting his message.

He is working on tooth #4, so the score is two down, 1.025 on the top, with one cranky attitude to get this tooth out. I tried to give him brown rice, but the yogurt I used to disguise it was gone and out came the unappreciated rice. Mom and I really laughed to see that little tongue get out the rice. He loves carrots and cottage cheese though. He sucks on apples and strawberries and then those come flying out too. Poached eggs are also a winner, thanks mom Tao for the recipe! Tofu is pretty well out, and black beans are still being debated. Meat of all sorts are pretty much out so far.

guy and his game

2010-02-28T23:18:00.000-08:00

Do you know how guys are when they are trying to watch their game on TV? Well this evening we were watching the US vs. Canada hockey game. All day long BT has been trying to love and kiss on his one week old cousin. I had both of them on my lap and would you just laugh with me, while the game was playing my monster could not be bothered to notice that his cousin was on his lap, he was too focused on the game. He suddenly noticed afterward and could not shower her with enough hugs and kisses.

Cousin looks like her daddy with two deep dimples in her cheeks, and dark skin and hair; eyes are yet to be determined. She is slightly jaundiced, so hopefully that will clear up quickly. My sister calls her little turtle as she stetches out her neck like a little turtle. She slept most of today so I imagine they will be awake all nite.

Baby Nixon

2010-02-22T22:10:00.000-08:00

Oh how sweet to hold a new born baby. My newest niece has arrived. She will be coming home tomorrow. I can't wait for Jonathan to see her and watch how he reacts. He loves babies. I thought she looks like her daddy. I could not see much of Keni in her, but she is still swollen and misshappen.

BT now stands up in the crib, yesterday he fell asleep collapsed upright against the bars of the crib since he had been crying until he could take it anymore and just tuckered out and crashed.

BT and swimming

2010-02-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

BT loves swim class. He loves being on a little platform with the other babies. However, there is a point that he adamently only does under duress. Swimming from one platform to the other. The platform is called the castle. I guide him gently by only holding the back of his neck. He is supposed to put out his hands and kick to the other castle. He starts by looking me in the eye, I blow in his face, then we are off. He now refuses to look me in the eye if he does not want to go. He has also started screaming. I can't have him go until he stops since his mouth is open and he swallows water instead of holds his breath. Smart little tiger. I still make him do it by grabbing his little face so he has to look at me. So guess what, he now closes his eyes.

I took him to get his Chinese new year picture yesterday at JC Penney Studio. He looked so adorable in the little outfit that his Nei nei got for him. They got some great shots.

Sosi comes for a visit

2010-02-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

Sosi came over for a fun time last night. She literally ran circles around BT, bless his heart. They both love reading books, brushing their teeth, and climbing stairs, and baths. Sosi has a book that I inadvertently skipped a page while reading it to her, and she evidently has it memorized, because she made me go back and read the page with the boy on the train. She brought me other books to read her. She pretended to listen to me reading the other books, but she was really enamored of her book. She also has a singing toothbrush that she wanted played again and again, only she says "open" instead of "on". It took me a while to figure out I only needed to push the button to start the music and I did not need to open anything.

Another funny Sosi story: Sosi was eating shell pasta for dinner. Some of the pasta had vegetables inside the shells. Sosi carefully checked each shell before eating it. If it had a vege inside she scraped it out and then gobbled it down. Kids can find veges anywhere and eliminate them.

Jonathan had a great tiume at the park! We try to go every day.
Steve got me these gorgeous mums for Valentines Day and Chinese New Years. We had dumplings one night and our favorite, Hot Pot! For V-Day we went to Korean BBQ.

Ok, BT can't even walk yet, but he can climb.Today he was standing on the train clinging to the chair so proudly. Scared us to death. Did I mention climbing? Daddy bought a stairway gate so the free stair game is about over.
We ruin all his fun!

Books books books

2010-02-11T13:41:00.001-08:00

Baby Tao is sporting a stylish basket on his head.

Did I mention

Baby Tao just loves those books. This is one of his new favorites. Dr. Suess, Mr. Brown can moo like a cow. His favorite part is the "BOOM BOOM BOOM" thunder page. He likes loud noises. I think he likes to be startled too. Last evening we went to the library and he crawled to the stacks, pulled himself up, studied the options, then got busy systematically pulling out the books. He would look over the cover then pull out the next one. None of those seemed to meet his criteria. He managed to empty two whole sections of the shelf in about 20 seconds. He did find a bright silver line separator that he seemed to look at himself, dance around, suck on, bang loudly, and generally act very non-library like. We laugh alot when we are around him. I called him a pole dancer, but papa bear did not find that humorous.

Two small teeth and ready to crawl

2010-02-07T22:27:00.000-08:00

This last week was a big week for Jonathan. He learned and mastered the skill of crawling. There is nowhere in our living room he cannot reach. It was so cute to see him lift up his rear end and move along.

After many sleepless nights, two teeth finally got out for his lower gum last week. It seems like there are some more coming in his upper gum. He is so proud of them.

Tiny tooth, All gone

2010-01-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

Baby Tao has a tiny white fang peeping just thru the lower left gum. Not a tooth really but we are working really hard to get it out. All things must be tested by going into the mouth of the monster. He loves sucking on ice in a baggy, thank you Aunt Keni, great idea.

We met the Taos at a Restaurant, and our Baby put on a one man show. He must have had a really good nap, because he was so energetic and funny, we were almost rolling on the floor.He was holding court with the waitresses, with Nai nai, with the girl behind our table, with passersby, and his parents were amazed at this never before seen side of their boy.

We three are all that is left of our holiday visitors. Ye ye and Nai nai returned to Guam Monday morning. We will miss them. Uncle Ronnie returned Monday night, back to work for him.
Cathy and Laurel came for a short visit on Friday evening. I went out with them to a mystery dinner. We had such fun. None of guessed correctly on the who-done-it, but it was fabulous to meet people, laugh heartily, and Laurel got to go onstage. What a hoot! And the meal was pretty good too.

There and back again

2010-01-18T00:14:00.000-08:00

Stand up and be counted

2010-01-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, twice in one day is enough to be frightened. First, jr. stands up during nap time in his crib. Then he pulls himself up out of his bath. Yikes! Steve also got a fright. We will lower his crib shortly and try to figure out what to do about the bath. No rest for the weary.

Now that was a battle.

2010-01-13T14:14:00.001-08:00

Just try to get that bag away from Jr.Baby Tao loves his highchair. He is eating really well, all 23 lbs of him.
Did I mention Nai nai helped Jonathan up and down the stairs? He could not stop smiling. You could tell he wanted to do it again, but she was fanning herself and panting, "Too hot!" she gasped.

Yep, BT and I just had a royal battle of wills. He did not wish to nap, I did wish for it. I won, sort of. . . scary thing is I went to the next room for about 30 seconds to pick up something and coming back I was dismayed to find him standing up in the crib, still screaming of course, but standing up! So tonight we have to move the level down. Way to go big boy.

He is loving swim class and looks too cute in the swim suit I got him.

Yesterday he managed to turn on his own mobile music. This is going way too fast, I can't keep up. He pretty much get where he really wants to. Yesterday I put him down to play while I worked on dinner. I looked up and was shocked not to see him. He had scooted to the otherside of the room.

BT thinks stuffed animals are real, and Joe can talk to him. He drools on them to show his affection. Eagle got him Winnie the Pooh, classic and Nei nei got him a sheep.

Random info for you: Cell phones hold up pretty well to drool-bathes. Babies always go for electronic equipment and cords. What did they go for before they had those, I wonder?

Happy Birthday, Dr. Paul Sobaje (almost)

2010-01-03T21:32:00.000-08:00

Paul is now happily 34. Lauren was totatally terrific at hosting a surprise party for him. He had not a clue. Those are the best!

I made pioneer woman's sheet cake recipe and Libby's pumpkin roll. I have always wanted to try the pumpkin roll and had bought the ingredient before thanksgiving and then never got around to it. I even bought a new pan to make it. I think I can improve it with a little work.

This new year we are looking forward to baby swim class beginning this week and sing and sign again. We are beginning mom's club shortly with believing moms.

BT was sporting his new $8.00 shoes from the fashion district we visited yesterday. Nei nei also bought him a yappy little dog that I think we will need to make visit and forget at one of his friend's house, if you know what I mean???

Here are some pic of BT with Ye ye and Nei nei. Did I mention we popped in to see the rose parade floats. A BIG WOW! Really impressive.

Nei nei and Ye ye, Christmas

2010-01-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Steve's parents are having such fun with Baby Tao. He has a special way of chattering with Nei nei, and Ye ye has his special games that he and baby Tao play together.

Uncle and Cousins were here for two weeks and just left at the beginning of the week. BT was overwelmed at first, but now he is always looking for people. He has a new way of demanding to be picked up and cared for that will need to be improved. Chinese people do not like for a baby to fuss or cry. Thankfully we had worked intensely on getting BT to fall asleep easily.

BT has been blessed with lots of toys. Cousins gave him a great alphabet train and a farm that he really likes. Sister Cindy sent some awesome ornaments of wisemen. We can't wait to put them up next year. We put up stockings but did not put anything in them, since we are not doing a gift exchange for adults. Gifts are for children in our Tao Christmas policy. I admit that I am delighted with this policy. It is a great way to enjoy the holiday for me. Sisters Cathy and Kendra also have gotten lots of gifts for the little man. Buying gifts for babies is a great honor! He did not really understand the ripping open gifts this year, maybe next year.

We still have the night time feedings and crying to work on but that is in our new years resolutions.

I must admit that the night time crying is the most difficult thing for me to deal with as I am not at my best at that time. How can say no to picking up that adorable bundle of chub...serious chub.

2010, the stuff of sci fi

2010-01-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Yep, did you think 2010 would ever come? I remember in highschool when 2010 sounds centuries away, and I wondered what I would be doing or if I would even be here to see it. I've been reflecting on what my life has brought and I am thankful for the place God has given me.

I have a great family. My hubby and precious baby are a daily delight.Baby Tao's name means "Gift of God." and he has lived up to it.

I have a serious church pursuing after holiness. My extended family if really fun and encouraging. My hubby's family has been good to get to know. I am learning new things like what Chinese people eat daily, hearing a new language, experiencing fun shopping expeditions, and dreaming of what 20 more years will bring. Do you even imagine Baby Tao will be in college and possibly his brothers or sisters? We may move to a new location or two. We could travel to other countries, participate in missions. Family may have kids, travel, or even pass away.

This reminds me to cherish, cherish, cherish today and this moment. I will never have it again. I fondly remember my college friend Stephanie. We were having a moment of laughing with tears rolling down our eyes in delight and she made us all stop and remember that moment. I will never forget it and furthermore, I often stop in the midst of a delightful moment and try to memorize how I feel, who I am with and what we are doing. I have enjoyed life richly.Baby Tao is playing with his first ornament.

I know this will sound like a bad joke, but how many degrees does it take to assemble a high chair? One phd, one ma, one bs, one ms... Or how many chinese does it take to assemble a made in china highchair?

Happy Birthday, 7 months

2009-12-31T13:53:00.000-08:00

Can you even keep up with this? My kid is 7 months old?

In the last three incredibly fast weeks, he is suddenly superbaby mobile unit. He can turn around on his stomach 360 degrees. His octopus hands are getting quicker than lightning. He has pulled himself to a standing position by himself. He is cruising from the ottoman to the couch to me and back. He leaps after desired object with no fear of the landing. He is looking in your eyes and lisping words that seem to have a specific meaning. He seems to know what or who the following are: diaper, dada, momma, chinese flashcards, Nai-nai (chinese grandma), and jump-jump-jump after a short demonstration. He is eating #2 food with no sign of stopping. He is weighing in at 23 lbs. And when he smiles, which is rarely at the camera, the world melt into a soft pile of butter.

Tofu, and no two ways about it

2009-12-23T19:04:00.000-08:00

I've had tofu sliced, boiled, fried, frozen, stir-fried, silky, dried, pressed, firm, thawed, hot, spicy, in hotpot, and raw.

How about you?

I also snuck off and had two tacos today.

Baby Tao is having a wierd rash. Poor little tiger. He is trying to walk and crawl. He is cruising from the table to the couch and to me. He has fallen backwards three times. Scares me to death. I guess this is only the beginning of understanding my parents gray hair. My dad says, his girls gave him the gray hair. He never had it before he had any of us.

Tao Parents are here for a visit.

2009-12-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

Jonathan awoke to greetings in Chinese from Nai nai and Ye ye. He got new slippers and new toys already and Christmas isn't even here.

He is not sure what to think of all the stimulation. I predict that every little peep he makes will prompt someone to respond. I shall have to enroll him in despoil class next =0)

Nai nai fed baby tao some congee, rice soup. He seemed to like it!

We put up our Christmas tree last night. Steve's first one that he picked out himself. He had to go back out for the tree stand. Our house smells great, and our tree looks gorgeous. Jonathan loves to look at the pretty lights.

I am making cookies and candy for the neighbors. Darn it but I messed up the peanut butter fudge. Dad, bring your spoon! Keni, I need your expert hand for this, I never did have the fudge touch. But I do have an "impossible to fail" recipe from ATK. They never fail me!

We attended the Christmas banquet with a dessert potluck. Wow, the chocolate raspberry cake is fabulous; Mrs. Sampson's famous recipe makes its annual appearance. I need to get that recipe!

Jonathan shops for his swimming suit online

2009-12-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

Jonathan went to his first swimming lesson at YMCA on Thursday. The day before, he was shopping for his swimming suit online. He looked long and hard.

He really is a water boy. He appears to enjoy the swimming pool very much.

Water Baby

2009-12-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

Jonathan needs a warm swimsuit. So he was helping me to look for one..Now that BT is 6 months, he can go to wet tots at the Y. Lots of moms had told me horror stories about terribly frightened and screaming babies. Needless to say I was both excited and a bit anxious about our first class. But BT is a water baby. He is a natural. Even going completely under the water was no problem for him. He really enjoyed the class. He was so tuckered out afterward too. He slept for 2 1/2 hours to recouperate. BT also loves his sing and sign teacher. He loves to stare up at her when it is his turn to play the guitar. He watches her so closely that he can't even select between the green beanbag and blue beanbag. She is much more entertaining! He loves to sing, well at least listen to singing.

Happy Birthday, 6 months for Baby Tao

2009-12-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Yep, 6 months already. We are astounded by how fast this has gone. Yesterday at the doctors Baby Tao got on his knees and straight arms. First time on his own.
The doctor was impressed with how BT could sit up so well. But he is so past that he wanted to show her how he likes to stand and not sit. They had a little battle of wills, the doc won, but he let her know he was not happy about it.

Jonathan's first attempt to search for a good deal

2009-11-24T19:04:00.000-08:00

Jonathan was trying to find his deal in the newspaper ad for his first Black Friday shopping list. But THERE WAS NO DEAL!!!! He was not happy about that. He was frustrated with the newspaper.

Food, food, food

2009-10-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

Jonathan has just begun sampling solid foods. He loves sweet potato. Carrots are so, so. And peas are a struggle.

Josefina, what a doll

2009-10-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

We went to visit new Josefina. She is so precious. She arrived after a long hard labor of love.

Trip Tales

2009-10-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

To Michigan and beyond...and back again...

Wow, being with family makes having a baby a whole new ball game. What fun to introduce Jonathan to so many of his relatives.

The plane ride there was a bit rough, and my anxiety popped up as I would return with out Steve to help me. So many people prayed, and I had a lovely trip back. From GR to Chicago, a gracious Korean lady moved and gave me an extra seat. From Chicago to LA, I sat next to a gracious, tiny, asian lady who slept most of the way. She always wondered what Asian/white babies would look like as she is engaged to a white man, Jonathan was able to help. He was really tired and downright silly when we first got on the plane so he giggled his way into charming her. She was so helpful, as well as the Christian woman across the aisle with a service dog who detects peanuts due to her extreme allergy. Once again God showed his graciousness to us.

What a baby

2009-09-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

Camera

2009-09-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

Everyday we take at least one picture of Baby Tao. Saturday I lost the camera which had 7 days pictures on it. Yep, I was not the Loved Ones favorite wife anymore. One of the neighbors found it and returned it thru Christian, our nice landlord. We are very thankful. And I now have more highly favored wife status again.

Labor Day was not labor free. We helped the Rios pack for the big move. That was so fun. BT did a great job. Saturday is the big move day. We will most likely have a slumber party at their place Friday night. Won't that be fun?

Today BT helped me turn a page of a book I was reading to him. I laughed with delight.

Everything is now heading toward his mouth. He is chewing heartily on those gums. I am going to go look for the vibrating star which we tried out at the YMCA. He seemed to really like it and it soothed him. His friend Hunter also really liked it.

I went to help Patricia set up her classroom so Steve, who had a day of furlough, offered to watch baby for me. He was supposed to take BT to sing and sign class at the Y at 9:45 am. When I called to check how things were going and to let them know I was on my way home he had quite a tale to tell about why he did not take baby to class.

"I started to get baby ready at 9:15 am by putting him on our bed to put on his socks, when I heard the runny gushy sound--baby poop. After I finished putting on one sock, I got to suspecting that it had leaked thru. I picked him up to check. Yep, it sure had. And it a tiny bit had also flowed onto the quilt. I said to myself, I am going to change him downstairs where the paper towels are available. We went to baby's room to grab a diaper since we had run out downstairs. So we went downstairs, I put down a papertowel, then baby, then I removed the soiled diaper.

Before I had completely removed his overflowing diaper, to my horror, BT continued to gush baby poop. Since his old diaper was about half off, I was in the process of wiping his bum when another big gush happened. Eewwww! It was now all over my hand. I was totally disgusted. And that was my big mistake. I assumed he was done with the show. I grabbed the soiled diaper with all of the nasty wipes to throw it away and wash my hand. I left him bare-bummed on a papertowel since my hand was nasty and I could not put on the new diaper without messing it up. When I turned around he continued to spew forth baby poop as well finishing the show with a pee fountain. He completed this show with an evil grin. He had succeeded in soiling the outside of his new diaper as well, not to mention the blanket under him and his clothes. Finally he was clean and diapered and I went to find a new outfit. Wouldn't you know I picked the one with the small neck that I think might hurt him when I put it on. Needless to say, by the time I finished with BT, baby class was already over."

I told him he could have just said, "I did not feel like taking him today." It would have been much easier, don't you think?

Chubby bunny

2009-09-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Our Baby Tao is getting super chubby. He is starting to wear his adorable shoe collection.
He is also starting to grab anything within his tiny grasp.

How about some slimey drool?

Baby Tao can fall asleep in a second, even still holding a toy.

What a baby

2009-09-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

OK, score for napping...Round one, baby cried for 20 minutes. I got him up to calm him, he laughed and giggled and broke my heart that I had to put him down again. Round two he cried and cried until finally at the 19 minute mark after fits and starts he was asleep. When I went up to check on him, he had shimmied to the top of his bed and wrested off the miracle blacket.

Today he was just crabby. When I went to sing and sign class he fussed and whined which he hasn't done before, and when I went to work out the child care woman had to come and get me since he was so irritable. Must be one of those days.

I did get my kitchen floor clean during that crying though.

Happy Birthday, Love

2009-08-31T23:04:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate the Birth of Steve Yuan Tao. I am so blessed to have the blessing of being married to such a great man, loving father, interesting conversant, best friend, passionate lover, intellent auditor, committed believer. He is so compassionate, patient, gentle, kind. He provides so well for his family with love and materials. He is sacrificial in his care for us.

I do not think I could find a better husband than this great man. He continues to improve. I love him more today than the day we married.

Happy Birthday, My good-looking husband.

Oh, and on his birthday he bought me a new couch. What a love!

Deanna, we finally got rid of blue plaid one. I was sentimental about it for a moment of silence to consider all the memories and people that little loveseat has served. Almost seems like a family heirloom...

Baby 1, Mommy 0

2009-08-25T22:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, trying to have BT fall asleep on his own... In the past I hold baby while he naps. If not, he wakes himself up for miscellaneous reasons. I am now trying to mend my evil ways and have him nap in his bed. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

After getting him plenty tired, I placed him in his bed. 15 minutes later he was still crying heartily with no sign of stopping. So, I got him up, took off his clothes, put him in his miracle blanket, fed him a touch--poof!ASLEEP! So, in round one, he took a two hour nap --in his bed--but he was asleep when I put him there. Hoping for improvement, where he can fall asleep in his own bed alone.

Today I picked up baby from the Y's childwatch center so I could work out. He was chilling in the swing. Here is his sitter. She read him books and fed him, and of course, she said he was adorable. =0)

He attended the sing and sign class today. I was so disheartened to learn the teacher makes up her own sign language instead of using ASL. Bummer! He really gets excited when the teacher plays the guitar right in front of him while singing to him.

Roll over, roll over

2009-08-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, can you believe this? Our boy is beginning to roll over. I had no idea this happens so early in his life. He is growing non-stop. I have already packed away clothes that no longer fit. I held a tiny pair of socks that are just precious and I can't remember him having feet that tiny. He is giggling and goo-gooing.

He is also crying when I put him down. He follows my every movement with his eyes. I am a MOM! It is really hitting now. no escaping or resigning. Do you remember that book, "Where does a mom go to resign?"

He is almost officially to the 3 month mark. That is when his little life is supposed to change to schedules and timetables--parent directed. We shall see how the battle is waged. He has definite oppinions and brings hours of cheap entertainment to his mom and dad. He was sitting in his little Bumbo chair when we hear the "pooping noice". Wow, it was the blow-out of the century! Is that over-share? That is my little world now.

We attended the YMCA sing and sign baby class. It is a lot of fun. I am learning signs for animals and lots of new songs. How fun!

Daddy is reading baby books in Chinese to Baby Tao nightly. I am trying to repeat the words as I am cooking dinner. He really loves books and pictures.

Baby has discovered his sucking fingers. This morning Steve went to check on baby and he was awake happily sucking on his fist. We call that a knuckle sandwich. So do you want a knuckle sandwich.

Steve is hunting for a van for our expanding family. Is obsessing too strong a word?

Sister, Clothing

2009-08-06T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sisters Kendra and Cathy are clothes addicts, gurus, professionals, fashionistas...whatever you want to call them. I did not get that gene or jean...ha ha! Anyway, so they bring four suitcases this weekend for only one 24 hours stay. We almsot could not fit them into the car. We forgot to take out the stroller. We almost couldn't bring Keni back.

Steve managed to get in his favorite mantra, "We need a bigger car!"

Here are some of the fun outfits they brought...

Russian hat, have I ever mentioned they have an entire wall of hats...I didn't even try to count those...

Old Navy fun shoes, have I ever mentioned that they own over 100 pairs of shoes... I stopped counting at 100.

Opps, sorry, this outfit is from Aunt Cindy.

Baseball hat--

And this picture cause they gave him a nap with no clothing except his diaper, which he seemed to really like.

Kung-Fu Baby

2009-08-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

My sisters named Baby Tao, Kung-Fu Baby. He holds his little fists up in a defensive boxing pose and waves them about frantically. He really looks like he knows Karate and his brother Kung-Fu.

Sisters to the rescue

2009-08-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Kendra and Cathy came for the weekend. They watched BT Saturday night and Sunday morning so that Steve and I could go for date night. We napped, slept, went out for dinner and did not return until noon on Sunday. What a lovely break.

Kendra also surprised me with bags of clothes for BT from a friend of hers who has a four year old and had saved his baby clothes. Wow, I will not have to shop for BT for at least four years. What a blessing!

Personality

2009-08-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, Baby Tao is showing some of his personality. One afternoon when he was sleeping on my lap, I lightly tapped his bottom. Without waking, he lifted he head, snarled back his lips and said, "Aehhh!" in a very irritated voice. I got the message. Don't interrupt his naps.

Today we were playing with the cow that when squeezed says "moo-ooo, moo-ooo." After I had sqeezed it one too many times, Baby Tao got back that irritated look, and then perfectly immitated the cows double moo-ooo, then started to cry. It was such a perfect immitation I thought I had lost my marbles. He has not done it again.

Today BT was rather short tempered. I think this heat is getting to him.

Schedule or not to schedule

2009-07-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Baby Tao has now begun to work on his daily schedule.

He goes to bed sometime between 7 and 10:30.

He eats a lot all day long.

He sleeps after eating or playing. Do you think I need to narrow the time slots?

He wakes up twice at night, 1, 2 or 3 am and then 4, 5 or 6. Not bad for a two month old. We go for a walk in the morning before 10 am.

He is working on holding up his head, swatting hanging objects, tummy time, and looking at a monkey book. He rides imaginary bikes and feels different materials on his cheeks and in his hand. Aunt Brenda got him a great teddy rattle that is smooth on one side and soft on the other, and fuzzy on the bear. He really loves it! Thank you, Aunt Brenda.

Immunization

2009-07-28T23:08:00.000-07:00

Baby Tao got his first round of shots. He was a trooper. He does not like tylenol, cherry flavored. But he does like vitamin D drops, cherry flavor. He cried so sincerely when he got the shots, Steve and I just laughed at his big tears and sad eyes. He stopped crying quickly, Thank you, God. Today, the day after, he was sleepy and whiny, but not the worst day of my with baby life.

I have heard plenty of horror stories. I even remember the shots I had to get for kindergarten, they really hurt. Very tramatizing! Our Baby Tao is strong. The doc was astounded at how he can hold up his head and kick his legs. She said he is comparable to a 4 month old. He now weighs 13 lb, 8.8 oz. He is in the top bracket for length and weight. We are happy parents of a strong, healthy, normal baby.

The doctor who originally reported that shots cause autism is being proscecuted for fraud in his case studies. He made up data! Wow, what a stir he has made. In my class tonight, a mother of three stated that she does not give immunizations, at all. . . Risky.

More Friends stay the night

2009-07-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

Desire and Chris spent the night at our house. We had such a fun time. Steve and Chris got to get water for us.

Chris and I watered the tomato plants. He really loved doing that. Chris did a great job of coloring and we found out he loves Chinese dumplings.

Speaking of tomato plants...my tomato plants from last year are out of control with producing cherry tomatoes. The Heirloom tomato plants from my neighbor Cynthia are huge, but weak on fruit, so I will fertilize more. I am a rookie bucket farmer and am just thrilled that anything will grow.

I bought four new herb plants at the Culver City Farmers market and two of them have had worms. Those buggers are tricky. They look just like the stems so for the longest time I didn't see them. But they do leave behind evidence of their existence. Now I am a bit more educated on what to look for so discover them. What fun, this gardening.

Rios Family

2009-07-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

The Rios Family spent the weekend with us and made a vidoe with Fernando's cool iphone. Thanks for the yummy dinner and breakfast, Monique. They are carrying one of Baby Tao's Best friends, Josiah. We can't wait for him to get here.

Here is Baby Tao sleepily cooing.

Schedule

2009-07-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

Don't you just want to tickle these tiny toes?

So now it is time to begin a schedule for Baby Tao.

The only thing he has taught me that I have actually caught is that for sleeping he prefers the purple pacie, the green fuzzy blanket, turned on his side, and he insists on burying his face into the crook of my elbow.

He is a good eater. I feel like I can scarcely keep up with him. Overshare--he is sometimes eating with out the nipple shield. Yippy! I am really astounded at how quickly babies seem to learn.

He is also growing like a weed. He is just starting to not fit into New Born clothes. 3 month clothes at 7 weeks.

Grandma Tao got him this adorable little bathrobe with a frog on it. He finally does not scream like he is being murdered when I give him a bath. In fact, the other day, he actually seemed to put out his toes like he was trying to test the water. And he no longer looks into my eyes with sheer terror. I felt like a mean mom, how dare I try to have a clean baby.

Steve's second counsins were here for the weekend. They just loved Baby Tao. He was so good for them. He cooed on demand. They are getting ready to start their family, and so wanted to practice with Baby Tao.

Aunt Keni popped in for a quick visit and introduction to Baby Tao. Steve had spent the weekend teaching his counsins to care for Baby Tao, and continued with Keni. She just zapped him up and demonstrated her baby moves. She is a natural. Steve was impressed.

"Steve, we have five nieces and nephews that I grew up caring for, and this makes six!"

Baby Tao stole Uncle Ronnie's heart. Ronnie loved the Baby and was amazed by how tiny he is, and plans to return often to love him and help him learn about the world.

A moment

2009-07-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Baby Tao had just had his second blow-out in a morning. So once again I pulled off all his clothes, ran a sink full of water and prepared to throw him in for a quick rinse off. He looked up into the mirror and saw me and started smiling and cooing. He pulled his lips up on one side, and garbled something he found quite hilarious. I could not help but laugh with him, and suddenly I had a memory of my fathers lips curled in just the same way when he was quipping a witty remark.

That delighted me to no end as daily I look at my boy and wonder what he has inherited from my side of family. Just one more delightful experience in the first 40 days of motherhood.

Baby Tao loves trips in the baby Bjorn pack.

What a blessing.

2009-07-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Awesome woman, Janet came over to hold BT so that I could get some serious house work done. I am so grateful, and Jonathan got a great nap. Yes, he slept for 2 whole hours with barely a twitch. If anyone needs a sub grandma, I can recommend Janet.

mommy--its fun!

2009-07-09T16:13:00.001-07:00

Ok, in just under two hours I think I have every body fluid known to man covering me. Details not necessary.

BT is cooing, and beginning to smile. I swear I got a laugh but Steve says it was an accident. BT is hanging out on his tummy more and actually enjoys looking at things from a different perspective.

First milestones

2009-06-15T23:57:00.000-07:00

BT is holding up his head. Yes, it is very wobbly but still he is trying. He crosses his arms when he is lying on my chest and then pushes up his head and then tries to look around.

Today his little umbilical cord fell off, and he has revealed his tiny belly button!

He also uses a pacifier, he is getting better at holding it in his mouth.

Mom and Dad came for a week. That was so wonderful. They were both so great with BT and offering me advise and affirmation that I am ok, and so is BT. Dad created a hide-a-bed for our guests in BT's rooms. We still need to paint it, but it is a great space saver.

His eyes are still dark gray-blue. I am expecting them to change to brown any day now.

Ok, I am so behind!

2009-06-15T23:51:00.000-07:00

Baby Tao was born on May 29th at 8:51 pm. He weighed in at 9 lb and 6 oz and 22 inches long. Yep a big guy. His sholder was stuck and the midwife was able to grab him and yank him out! She is awesome, go LaTonya.

Baby is a good eater, sleeper and all the other things new borns do. He sleeps for four hours at night. What a blessing! We love him so much! Being a mom is a great delight. I try to treasure each second since everyone keeps telling me they grow so fast.

One of my favorite moments is after he eats and I burp him. He curls up on my chest and I rub his back and we both treasure being cuddly and close. There is nothing sweeter than that. I am so grateful for this opportunity to love this little man.

Three days

2009-05-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Three days until our official due date. No sign of a ready to come boy however.

Today, I sent my man to Costco with his bro to buy a new mattress. Well, guess what shiny-eyed, happy man brought back, mighty hunter that he is?

A new TV and no mattress. Now what does one say to that?

UCLA shower.

2009-05-18T11:50:00.001-07:00

Baby Jonathan was celebrated at Steve's workplace. They graciously hosted a baby shower with an adorable cake and potluck. Then blessed us with giftcards to finish baby's room.

Cinco de Mayo, well actually the 2nd!

2009-05-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

Where do I ever get the ideas? Don't know but we decided to give a go at celebrating Cinco de Mayo. I am so thankful for my Mexican friends, who saved the day with helping me prepare the food.

We had Tortilla soup, that I the next day realized I forgot to add the chicken, so it was more like tortilla broth...
Beans and Rice, thanks Monique and enchiladas thanks Desiree and Monique. Stephanie made a cake and frosted it herself. Fernando wrestled up a gorgeous, artfully arranged salad.

We played animal uno, you must be there to fully appreciate the humor and M&M exchange. I think Fernando gave us a memory that we will never forget. I will never look at a blue M&Ms the same way. I found blue M&M juice for days after our party. I do wonder if he still likes M&Ms.

Four weeks from today

2009-04-27T15:11:00.001-07:00

Yep, if the due date is right on, Baby Jonathan could be here in four weeks. He is currently just over 6 lbs and is estimated to be between 7-8 lbs at delivery. He has plenty of amnio fluid and moves tons each day. I am serious about serving an eviction notice as he is getting rather bothersome with all that hard kicking and stretching not minding if my bladder or stomach or ribs are in his little way. We just can't wait to see him. We are wondering if he will have my eyes or Steve's and asian hair or none.

Today I went to swim class. I call it the old ladies swim and sing class. The teacher, Esther gives us a move to make and then we sing a song with an appropriate oldies song and beat. The ladies are warm and welcoming and the workout is not bad either.

Wedding Bliss for Weston

2009-04-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well Weston is hitched! Yeehaw! Did anyone get a pic of the silly grin he couldn't stop as his bride came down the center aisle? It was just precious...

They had a lovely wedding on Saturday. Pastor Shannon preformed the ceremony. I thought Kristina looked smashing in her green dress. She is her mothers daughter as she got up at three am and added sleeves to her dress as a last minute change. And the addition was great! What a talented family.

The cake and punch reception followed, that brings me to my southern days. I think the cakes tasted fabulous, which as you know, at a wedding can be a bit of a gamble. Lisa had a tiny sample and let us know that the frosting was pretty good.The cakes came in chocolate, yellow and a happy mix of both, and they also had different fillings and were moist and generous with their sizes. This for me is always most important with my little hobby.

Weston looked dazed in a happy way and Kristine was a radiant bride.

The groom's mother made her own dress, which was just one more way of Gwen demonstrating her amazing seamstress abilities. Glenn provided the getaway car. I don't know what the make and model are, but it is certainly a solid tanker car. Raymond, the famous mechanic, mentioned the pillow shocks, so they will ride on a luxury cloud to their honeymoon.

We appreciated the subtle detailed touches, like covering the seats of the picnic tables, and the homemade banana bread, and decorating the entrance way all the way to the parking lot. The punch was wonderful and refreshing on the warm, but not too hot clear sky day. Doesn't our Jenny look gorgeous with her new look?

The bestman had a great one-liner about his friendship being a match made in lemon since he and Weston met over a cup of lemon-aide.

Dinner Party

2009-04-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Rick and Rachel, Steve's coworker came over for dinner Friday evening. Rachel is Chinese and Steve enjoyed comparing their growing up years. We had Baked Chicken, red potatoes, beans, and they brought cherry and lemon cheesecake pie. We really enjoyed the evening.

Resurrection Sunday

2009-04-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Celebrating our Lord's Resurrection on Sunday was such a blessing. This was Steve and I's first dinner party. We had eight people for our party. Everyone pitched in to help make our day a success. Eagle brought a gorgeous Easter lily. Steve and I really appreciated this later in the week as we read in Matthew, consider the lily of the field, it neither toils nor sows, but God clothes it better than Solomon in all his glory.Robert made the gravy and Hollaindaise sauce for the Asparagus, and well as bringing wonderful bread. Juan and Melina cut the ham to perfection as well as preping the salad and bringing drinks. Steve bought chairs for everyone to sit around the table. And I supervisedas well as made a chocolate flourless cake! The Nelsons had impecable timing, as everything was done and ready just as they arrived. But they helped with the dishes. And what a blessing that was!

Gifts for Jonathan

2009-04-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

Stephanie, Jonathan's future babysitter, got these tiny socks.

This is Diane's amazing crochet work!

Raymond jr., I believe, is planning to teach baby Jonathan to surf with his totally awesome outfit! On the rear it says "Wipe Out!"

Baby Tao, Shower for Jonathan

2009-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Westside Bible Study Ladies for the fabulous shower of love and gifts for Baby Jonathan. Gwen and Debera greeted the guests as they arrived at Devanee's house.

Lauren gave a devotional out of Deuteronomy followed by a delicious brunch of quiches made by the ladies and some gorgeous salads. One of my favorites Asian salad(thanks pioneer woman)was there, of course made by our salad specialist, Gwen.
Two of my previous neighbors came, Eagle and Diane. I am so honored they were able to be there. Cynthia couldn't come, but sent her gift ahead. The group gifted me with a car seat and a pack and play, wow, we are so ready for Jonathan to try them out.
I love this double mother/daughter duo picture, my WWW tea kitchen buddies(Sue and Karine and their precious daughters, Commie and Allie).Monique and Desiree handled the "stupid shower games" as I like to fondly refer to the games loved by women worldwide played at bridal and baby showers. They kept their games tame with blindly trying to pull out tiny blue pacifiers from a bowl of rice. Kristina won with 29, total. The second game, was to guess using a piece of plastic measuring tape how large I am around. Stacey won that game. Sandra, my nursery enthusiastic nursery supervisor trainer, traveled down for the shower with her hubby, John.Helen and Thelma have been my dear friends from my very first GCC activity at Titus Tuesday, my third week in California.Karen, my ever patient WWW kitchen trainer, demos the photiphic way to eat a strawberry. She and Eagle debated who was older and wiser.

Sisters, nothing sweeter

2009-04-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

Sisters make everything sweeter.

I am delighted to have my sisters for a weekend. We laugh and laugh and laugh. My sisters are quick witted and nothing is sacred from the teasing wit of family. When they arrived we went to have our toes done, grabbed Mexican food for lunch and then we hit the fashion district.

The fashion district is fabulous!
I had never even been there before. Isn't that a shame? They can't wait to come again to get more bargains. My sisters are fashion gurus. If you could see their closet you would drool. They have a wall of hats and purses. They have over 100 pair of shoes. The shirts are arranged in an amazing array of colors, textures, and styles. And the jewelry department is overwelming. Their personal styles are quite different, but Keni loves putting together outfits. Cathy always looks like a million bucks and has since she was a teenager, and maybe before.Keni is modeling her new purse.

The Avery branch found tiny treasures for Baby Jonathan. When Steve and I opened them, we were finally struck with the realization that we will soon have a little guy in our family, for real. Steve really loved the little shoes. He loves shoes, probably his son will too. The family bought baby Tao a Travel system including a carseat and stroller.
Thankfully sister Keni loves to assemble everything. She had a great time putting together everything. Thank you so much, sister.

Saturday night found us out for Steve's hometown restaurant. We had his favorites, steamed fish, mushroom/cucumer salad, Northern bean noodle salad, Tofu and meatball soup.

Sunday morning we dropped them off at LAX. We are so blessed to have family.

Lauren and I

2009-04-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

Lauren and I each created a recipe to split with the other to swap. I made Anna Sander's American Cassarole which I love and Steve tolerated (too much cheese). Which made 2 9x13 pan servings. I served one and froze the other. We are not at the "cook for a month" level like Adrienne, but we are learning.

Eagle also came over bearing baby gifts and she stayed for dinner too. Eagle is such a practical gift giver! She got us little towels and washclothes, lotion, and cleaning things. Thanks Eagle, you are so thoughtful!

Lauren made stuffed pork chops without stuffing them, the stuffing goes on the bottom. I packaged them into 3 meals, two in the freezer. So I am stocking up and making my life easier!

Tomorrow my sisters are flying in for the babyshower. We are getting our feet done.

Getty Villa

2009-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Steve and I took a short trip back in time to the Getty Villa located in Malibu. It was restive and lovely. We ate our lunch at the side of the road watching the beach.

An obnoxious seagull was a bit offended at our "gull" of eating in his territory without feeding him and his people. They do seem to like mac and cheese and P&J sandwiches.